Generals' Conley Comits To Zips

Aaron Conley, one of the most versatile lineman Wooster football coach Mike McCreary has coached, verbally committed to attend the University of Akron on a scholarship next fall.

The 6-foot-4, 302-pound senior was a 3-year starter on offfense and a 2-way player his final two seasons. This past year, despite a 2-8 record, Conley earned All-Ohio honors as an offensive lineman and was one of the Generals' top defensive players.

Conley, who split time between offensive tackle and guard this season, is the first Wooster player to earn a Div. I-A scholarship since running back Tony Lee signed with Bowling Green in 1987 and the first lineman to sign since Drew Gerber inked with Div. I-AA Youngstown State in 1989.

"The fact he won five or six games in his career says a lot for Aaron and the fact he was able to impress college coaches without the team having success," McCreary said. "It's a tremendous accomplishment for him.

"What is most impressive about Aaron is his intelligence. He's not only a good student, but he is a smart player who can pick things up quickly. "

Conley proved that this season when he split time between tackle and guard, the first time he played the position at the varsity level.

He graded out at 87 percent on his blocking assignments and was responsible for just three sacks for the Generals.

It was the versatility he showed this season in becoming a first-team All-Federal League offensive lineman that McCreary said college coaches liked the most.

"His ability to play guard or tackle and also on defense is a huge attribute because most lineman his size are 1-position players. That should give him some leeway when someone gets injured to fill in anywhere."

Conley was considering offers from Toledo and Kent State, but chose Akron, which is coming off a 7-4 season, one of its best this decade.

"It's a great situation for Aaron to be going to," McCreary said. "Akron is improving and in a few years could be competing for the Mid-American Conference championship.

"That's what you go to school for, to compete for championships, and Aaron should have that opportunity."